2011 Elections

2011 Elections will shape the future of Mississippi politics for years to come.

There is a leadership vacuum in both houses of the Mississippi Legislature.

In the Senate, Lt. Governor Phil Bryant is running for Governor, while President Pro Tempore Billy Hewes chose to give up his Senate seat and run for Lt. Governor.

Over in the House of Representatives, Speaker Billy McCoy is retiring as is Speaker Pro Tempore J.P. Compretta.

Once elected, those filling the vacant positions will inherit enormous powers. The Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House appoint every member of every committee along with naming the committee chairs and vice chairs. They will assign bills to committees and guide favored legislation through the process.

They will serve on the powerful Legislative Budget Committee to hear monetary requests from every facet of state government and, with the Legislative Budget Office, will develop the budget for the State.

In addition, they will have the option of naming the staffs of the Senate and the House.

You can bet there is a lot of internal polling going on with those wishing to be in leadership positions trying to line up support in return for important committee assignments.

Basically there will be new leadership throughout the Legislature from top to bottom. Consequently, some issues which were never given the time of day, may get some traction: i.e. radar for sheriffs, university consolidation, zero budgeting, etc. Of course if legislators get hung up with party bickering, very little will get done.

I’m hoping for a fresh new beginning in both houses of the Legislature. It will be an interesting time in the State’s history.